Nigeria Head Coach Calls for Sympathy Amid Player Availability Concerns

laments Ghana already have almost 90 per cent of their squad in camp, Bafana Bafana have nearly a full house

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On Sep 2, 2025

Nigeria’s head coach has urged supporters to show understanding before passing judgement on his performances, admitting his frustration at the current state of preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifier.

Speaking on Monday, the coach revealed that only four players had reported to camp, with the majority of the squad still in Europe finalising transfers with new clubs.

“I mean, look, we have only about four players in camp. Most of our players are still in Europe finalising new deals. Ghana already have almost 90 per cent of their squad in camp, Bafana Bafana have nearly a full house, and our opponents on Saturday, Rwanda, have been in camp for two weeks now. And when we get unwanted results, I will be the first to be crucified,” he lamented.

The visibly unhappy coach emphasised that the lack of available players hampers preparations and puts his side at a disadvantage compared to their rivals.

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Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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